[JerryH]

A few years ago I bought a couple of boxes of Bismuth for my old model 12 that was my Grandpa's. I've had this gun for 35 years. I have shot a pheasant or two and multiple trap leagues with this gun. I have only taken out on the marsh twice before yesterday. I had an opportunity to shoot a goose with it. Not the prettiest pic but it finally happened.

 

[MWScott72]

I bought a couple cases 2 years ago to augment another case I already had. After this season, I'm in the market again...and my wallet is NOT happy!

 

[paddler]

A few years ago I bought a couple of boxes of Bismuth for my old model 12 that was my Grandpa's. I've had this gun for 35 years. I have shot a pheasant or two and multiple trap leagues with this gun. I have only taken out on the marsh twice before yesterday. I had an opportunity to shoot a goose with it. Not the prettiest pic but it finally happened. View attachment 155483

Nice! Is there pastrami in your future?

 

[JerryH]

Very well could be!

 

[paddler]

Very well could be!

Corned goose sandwiches tonight, with sauerkraut and provolone on grilled sourdough.

 

[MWScott72]

I had to do some work inspections down at the Draper prison today. Plenty of geese hanging around on the grounds. Now, if a person could get permission...

 

[JerryH]

Something to be aware of Bismuth fractures. Here's a a pic of Boss #5 from a couple of birds. Even copper plated it doesn't matter it still fractures during setback. I'm not knocking the product. Just mentioning this because it could be a molar or crown killer.

 

[Critter]

Just mentioning this because it could be a molar or crown killer. View attachment 155532

I thought that was one of the side effects of eating birds shot with pellets.

4 years ago eating a grouse breast cost me over 4k in dental bills.

 

[Fowlmouth]

Something to be aware of Bismuth fractures. Here's a a pic of Boss #5 from a couple of birds. Even copper plated it doesn't matter it still fractures during setback. I'm not knocking the product. Just mentioning this because it could be a molar or crown killer.

I noticed the fractures while slicing thin pieces for jerky. A couple fragments were in the finished jerky. You gotta be careful for sure.

 

[JerryH]

Hey fowl remember the goose feather incident on freaks truck?

Well their back. Two days in a row on that corner. Just a friendly tip

 

[Fowlmouth]

Hey fowl remember the goose feather incident on freaks truck?

Well their back. Two days in a row on that corner. Just a friendly tip

Ha! Ha! Yeah, I remember. I haven't been up there in a week. Thanks! We did okay that day.

 

[JerryH]

Lets just call it Grub Hub corner. Because they could deliver lunch pretty easily lol

 

[gander311]

All the sudden the last two days I’ve been seeing honkers. Saw 150+ yesterday in a small area which is way more than I’ve seen total the last couple weeks. Plan to get out tomorrow afternoon and see if I can get any to work.

 

[paddler]

I'll be out, too, but mostly to shoot ducks with my camera. If any geese work well, I'll try to invite them to dinner.

 

[Fowlmouth]

I'll be out tomorrow as well. I will look for the canoe.

 

[toasty]

Here is my bismuth experience with the 410 today. I was so disgusted with my 410 steel loads last month when I shot at Eurasion doves, I decided to do something about it and ordered 20lbs or Rotometals #8 bismuth. The Bismuth came in right at .090 average and had 454 pellet per oz. Shot looks good for bismuth. Their website says it is smaller than #8s, but I was glad to find it is the right size. Running KPY shotshell ballistics on it gets me 291 pellets and a range of 42 yards vs 143 and 197 pellets with steel #7 & #8s with only 34 and 25 yards of range. Shown below is a chart of Lead, 2 sizes of steel, and the bismuth.
Material - Load Size - Shot Size - Pellets - Muzz Velocity - Distance - Gel Penetration

5% Antimony Lead	300	# 7.5 (0.095)	239.48	1135		60.2				0.75
Bismuth	273	# 8 (0.090)	291.12	1225		41.6				0.75
Steel	150	# 8 (0.090)	196.33	1300		25.0				0.75

I loaded up a 5/8oz load that runs 1225, haven't chronoed it yet, but I split the recommended data in the Lyman Manual and Hodgdon website.
Remington 3" Hull
CCI 209
16.5gr H110
Remington SP410
5/8 Bismuth #8
Fold Crimp

Shot 7 shells to take 3 doves. Miss one at about 45 yards completely, but hit the other 3 and lost 1 in the thick brush. 1st dove was about 25 yards and dropped on the first shot. Second was about 35 yards, hit on the first shot, kept flying and dropped on the 2 shot at about 40 yards. 3rd and 4th shots were wiff at 45 yards. 4th dove was hit on second shot at about 40 yards went down into a thickett. The difference compared to #8 steel was significant. With 410 3" lead shells running $20+ a box, I reloaded a box of bismuth for $.65 shell (assuming free 1x fired hull) and $16.25 a box making it cheaper to reload than the price of a new box of lead shot. With the 20lbs, got enough to load 2 cases and last me for many years to come.

 

[toasty]

Duplicate post

 

[JerryH]

Nice write up Toasty

I did some buffered bismuth loads for the 20ga a few years back. It was a BPI recipe with #4 and they worked good on snow geese.

I also loaded some #6 bismuth for the 28ga. It was a buffered load also but I wasn't happy with the results. It was a crippler for ducks. But in hindsight I think the load I used was to fast. It was over 1,400 fps.

When I patterned the loads I noticed small holes in the pattern paper. So it was obviously fractured pellets.

 

[JerryH]

This old waterfowler shoots bismuth!